Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez was re-elected Sunday to a new six-year term, overcoming an energetic challenge by a candidate backed by an opposition coalition, according to nearly complete results announced by election officials.

Chavez, who has been president since 1999, defeated Henrique Capriles Radonski, whose campaign criticized the Chavez administration for inefficiencies, infrastructure shortcomings and corruption.

Fireworks began to pepper the sky over Caracas soon after the provisional results were announced.

"Today we have demonstrated - comrades, compatriots - that our democracy is one of the best in the world," Chavez said in a speech from the balcony of the presidential palace to thousands of supporters who cheered and waved flags.

soundoff(6 Responses)

Wonder how long before our powers that be start slamming Chavez victory?
The use of words is dam****important. Chavez has b not ruled but led his nation for many years and all the while as an elected person.
Elections by the way that President Carter calls the most free elections and free of any undethanded ballot manipulationsin the ameticas.
Unlike here in states Bolivarian Revolutions do not elect a Republican or democratic rulet instead they vote for one that represents and leafs by the peoples will.

Chavez has eliminated the middleman standing between Venezuelan citizens and their own natural reserves.
Nigeria, a top-ten oil exporting nation, has leaders in bed with the middle man and so Nigeria's oil flows....NOT to the Nigerian people, but to the USA..
Make sure to fill-up at CITGO, Venezuela's nationalized oil company. Profits from these sales go to the Venezuelan people, not American politicians who have oil and blood on their hands.

@Matt. It is Wal-Mart who has sought allies in China. 80% of what Wal-Mart sells under the US flag is made in China.
Venezuela has no-such close ties with china. It is the US peoples who support China's economy and military by refuseing to purchase US made oroducts...INSISTING on cheaper chinese goods and using credit with China to purchase homes and luxuries they simply cannot afford.
Americans are deep in debt to China, NOT Venezuelans.

The ties between China and Venezuela are large and growing. Chinas new agreement to purchase millions of barrels of heavy oilis just one example.Along with conteacts for construction projects such as low income and middle housing projects. highway infrastructure and schools that because of strings attached means thousands of newly trained will find employment.
US State Dept trying to say Chavez selling oil on cjeap but truth is China pays top dollar.
New mineral contracts means more jobs and China just launched second venezuelan earth stat satelite. of a planned 30 for Central and S. American telecommunications.
Chavez is not a true socialist. in fact sociaist greatest danger to Bolivarian Revolutionary Principals.

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